Numerical evaluation of concrete and steel strain rate in the RC section subjected to high rate loading

Abstract

The paper examines the problem of estimation of dynamic mechanical properties of concrete and reinforcing steel in a section subjected to high rate loading. The loading can result from explosions and impacts. The prediction is made by a combined application of mathematical models describing explosive or impact loading, straining of concrete and steel under this loading and dynamic enhancement of static mechanical properties of these materials. Problems aris-ing at coupling these models in a combined set are discussed. The main finding is that prediction of dynamic properties is to a large extent a problem of structural analysis for explosive loading. The prediction on material level consists mainly in an application of enhancement factors relating static and dynamic properties. The intricacy of these factors lies in the input information required for their calculation. This information is obtained by a structural analysis for ex-plosive or impact loading.